Carbon dioxide is a gas that is found in the air we breathe. It is made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Plants and trees use carbon dioxide to make their own food, a process called photosynthesis. This is why they are called “the lungs of the earth” because they help to clean the air we breathe by absorbing carbon dioxide.
All living things, including people and animals, breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. This is a natural process that helps to keep the balance of gases in the air. However, people have also been releasing extra carbon dioxide into the air by burning things like coal, oil, and gas to make energy. This is called pollution and it can be bad for the environment.
The extra carbon dioxide that people are releasing into the air is causing the Earth’s temperature to get warmer. This is called climate change. Climate change can cause bad storms, droughts, and flooding. It can also hurt plants and animals that live in the sea and on land.
We can help to stop climate change by using less energy, using clean energy, and by planting more trees. Planting more trees can help to absorb the extra carbon dioxide in the air, which will help to keep the Earth cool.